Woman Born On Leap Year Celebrates Age 100 As Just Her 25th Birthday

A woman in Oklahoma will become a centenarian on her 25th birthday.

Mary Lea Forsythe of Sand Springs, Oklahoma, was born on Feb. 29, 1924, which interestingly makes her 25th birthday her 100th year of being alive. She is one of the roughly five million people called "leaplings," who only get to celebrate their actual birthdays once every four years.

"I always thought I was blessed. It was so much fun. We celebrated whenever we wanted to," Forsythe said when she was recognized by the Centenarians of Oklahoma, per ABC News.

According to the new centenarian, she often celebrated her birthday on the days surrounding Feb. 29, including her late husband's birthday, which was March 6.

Meanwhile, her sisters often took her out for lunch to celebrate her birthday on Feb. 27, Feb. 28, or March 1, per USA Today.

This year, in honor of her 25th birthday and 100th year, the Osage Hills Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, where she was an active member, hosted a large gathering for her, which included an interview with their local news station.

The surprise celebration took place on Feb. 15. She didn't know the organization had planned something for her.

"When I walked in, there were flashers going off, and they were taking my picture when I came into the room. There were dignitaries from the city, and there was a proclamation read," she told USA Today.

She continued, "My goodness, it was shocking. The room was full of people... I never had been that surprised in my life."

Per ABC News, she will celebrate her 100th year at her local church on Thursday.

Before the momentous celebration, the Oklahoma native shared her anticipation, saying, "Oh, it's just a fun time to live. I'll tell you, it's a great time to live."

She also reminded her guests, "No gifts, please. I don't want anything to store."

Forsythe was married to her husband William "Bill" Wayne -- her high school sweetheart -- from 1942 until he passed away in 2011. They have two children, five grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren together.

When her husband was still alive, she often joined him in singing with banjo bands in the neighboring communities and at restaurants in Tulsa.